When you grow up in New Orleans, in Louisiana really, it’s almost like you grow up in a bubble. The way of life here can be so different than anywhere else that when you eventually leave the safe space surrounded by gumbo and “how’s ya mama and dem?” the difference can be jarring.
While I was way too old (12) before I found out Mardi Gras wasn’t celebrated everywhere in the country, finding out something as simple as finger sandwiches not being a regular concept experienced by others was not on my bingo card at almost 35 years old.
But a social media post from a friend of mine who lives in the Midwest threw me for a loop…